Ask the Experts

Garden City Hospital is here to help. Now you can browse, search and view answers to frequently asked health questions. Have a personal health question you need answered? We can do that too! Simply submit your question and we will get it to the appropriate GCH health expert for an answer.

Ask the Experts is for general information purposes only. It should never be thought of as medical advice or treatment, nor should it be used in place of a thorough medical screening or an exam by a licensed medical professional. Medical advice should be sought from an emergency room, urgent care center, or licensed medical professional. If you need help finding a physician, use our online physician directory to locate a Garden City Hospital Health Expert that’s right for you.

Check the Sunday issue or your local O&E for more answers from the GCH Health Experts.

Note: Questions are selected both randomly and based on relevance or frequency. Not all submitted questions will be answered. Answers will be posted on GCH.org and not supplied directly to the submitter. To maintain personal privacy, we do not require any personal information be given to submit questions.

Q

Alcoholism has been an issue in our family. I am worried about how this will affect my teenaged children, who will surely be exposed to drinking soon, if not already. Is alcoholism passed through genetics and how can I effectively reach my children without coming across as “preachy”?

A

Alcoholism tends to run in families, and genetic factors partially explain this pattern. Researchers are currently looking for the genes that influence vulnerability to alcoholism. A person&r... read more

Source: Dr. Phil O’Dwyer,
Specialty: Psychology

A

Alcoholism tends to run in families, and genetic factors partially explain this pattern. Researchers are currently looking for the genes that influence vulnerability to alcoholism. A person’s environment, such as the influence of friends, stress levels, and the ease of obtaining alcohol, may also influence the development of alcoholism. While a factor such as social support, may help to protect even high-risk people from problems with alcohol.

Risk, however, is not destiny. A child of an alcoholic parent will not automatically develop alcoholism. A person with no family history of alcoholism can become alcohol dependent. It’s important to note that, youths who use alcohol before age 15 are five times more likely to become alcohol dependent than adults who begin drinking at age 21. Alcohol use in teens often leads to an increase in risky sexual behavior, poor school performance and injury.

There are a number of great resources available to help you properly educate your children. The most important thing is to stay involved, be diligent and have an open path of communication. Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease that is treatable with professional help and support.

Q

Does treatment for alcoholism work?

A

In many cases, treatment for Alcoholism is effective. However, a minority of alcoholics remain sober one year after treatment, others have periods of sobriety alternating with relapses, while... read more

Source: Dr. Phil O’Dwyer,
Specialty: Psychology

A

In many cases, treatment for Alcoholism is effective. However, a minority of alcoholics remain sober one year after treatment, others have periods of sobriety alternating with relapses, while some are unable to stop drinking for any length of time.

Treatment outcomes for alcoholism compare favorably with those of other chronic medical conditions. The longer one abstains from alcohol, the more likely they are to remain sober. It is important to remember that many people relapse once or several times before achieving long-term sobriety. Relapses are common and do not mean a person has failed or cannot eventually recover from alcoholism. If a relapse occurs, it is important to try again and to get help. Eliminate as many drinking “triggers” from your life as possible.